Hopatcong Schools united with schools across Sussex County again this year to celebrate the Week of Respect. Throughout the week a variety of programs were arranged to encourage positive behaviors and to support anti-bullying.

On Mon., Oct. 3, also known as World Anti-Bullying Day, all schools in the district supported this cause by wearing blue.

On Tue., Random Acts of Kindness Day, the guidance department at the high school had inspirational/motivational quotes posted on all restroom mirrors. Students also had the opportunity to contribute to the wall of thanks -a bulletin board containing thank you notes to students and staff members. In the elementary schools students had the opportunity to write down the Random Acts of Kindness they saw throughout the day.

On Wed., the elementary schools showed their support by wearing neon colors to highlight the students who take a stand against bullying. In the high school students signed a pledge to be respectful towards others – to “be an upstander not a bystander” and to “say no to cyber bullying.”

Thur. was Go-Green Day where students were encouraged to respect the environment and assist with the pop-tab collection for the Ronald McDonald House Charities which will be an ongoing collection throughout the school year. Easy tips were posted in the HHS cafeterias to equip students with ideas on how to be more eco-friendly.

To conclude Week of Respect, students and staff wore Hopatcong gear to show pride in our community!